Carton erecting machine



Jan. 18, 1955 E. H. F. MOBLE-Y 2,699,711 CARTON ERECTING MACHINE FiledSept. 15, 1951 6 Sheets- Sheet l I I .u

INVENTOR. EDWIN H. E MOBLE);

05054550, BY FRANCES M. MOBLE )1 B noumsmarmx,

l 77 ORNE Y Jan. 18, 1955 E. H. F. 'MOBLEY 2,699,711

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1951 6 Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.EDWIN h. F. MOBLEK 0505mm, BY FRANCES M. MOBLEX ADMINISTIMTRJX,

ATTCM'MEY Jan. 18, 1955 E. H. F. MOBLEY CARTON ERECTING MACHINE FiledSept. 15, 1951 6 Sheets-$heet 4 05054350, BY FRANCES M. MOBLEK INVEN TOREDWIN Ii EMOBLE'X ADMIN/$77744 TIWX qn I E. H. F. MOBLEY CARTON ERECTINGMACHINE Jan. 18, 1955 Filed Sept. 15, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 m a m OECLMTLEBS Nm am E W .0 IF. M4

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9 E. H. F. MOBLEY 2,699,711

'CARTONERECTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1951 6 sheatsf-sheet 6 INVENTOR.EDWIN H. F. MOBLE):

* GEASED,

05 BY FRANCES M. MOBLEK B Aauuv/srmm/x',

Arron/in United States Patent 2,699,711 CARTON ERECTING MACHINEApplication September 15, 1951, Serial No. 246,846 15 Claims. (Cl. 9337)This invention relates to machines for automatically setting up orerecting collapsible cellular cartons made of cardboard or the like,such as egg boxes of the type having collapsible side wall andtransverse cell-forming partitions. Such cartons are commonly made,stored and compact, collapsed condition and require setprepare them forfilling with eggs. ual erection of such cartons for filling is atedious, time consuming step where they are handled in quantity lots.Devices are known without movable parts, parts movable only by hand, forassisting in the erection of such cartons but they have proven slow inoperation for rapidly erecting a large quantity of cartons. drivenautomatic machines for this purpose are but they have been-complicatedand expensive to manufacture and maintain in operation. One object ofthe present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved machine ofthis character having a more simple, practical and efficient type ofconstruction.

Another object is to produce such a machine in which the meansrelatively low cost.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

1 In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of an bodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1, but as viewed from theopposite side of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the grippingmeans in position for partially removing the outermost carton from thehopper;

Fig. 5 is a similar to Fig. 4, but shows the carton partially removedand partially distended;

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 5, but shows the carton more fully distendedand a rotary erecting device in position for engaging the carton;

Fig. 7 is similar to Fig. 6, but shows the carton more fully distendedand the erecting device in position for fully erecting the transversecell partitions and for partially moving the carton out of the hopper;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the erecting device in fullengagement with said carton, but before the erection of the same;

Fig. 9 is similar to Fig. 8, but shows the erecting device in positionfor completing the setting up of the carton;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation of the erecting device along the line1010 in Fig. 8;

erecting machine em- Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of the erectingdevice along the line 1111 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is an end elevation of the carton gripping mechanism detachedfor purposes of illustration, and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary, perspective view of one of thecarton gripping vacuum cups.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, herein disclosed by Way ofillustration, is especially adapted for use with cellular cartons suchas egg cartons which are commonly made of a one-piece blank of materialcut, scored and folded to form two rows of siX cells each. a cartoncomprises a front wall 18 (Fig. 4), a rear tions 24 (Fig. 6) and 26 Atop wall indicated generally at 2.8 (Fig. 5) is connected with the wallsand is cut and scored to form a series of transverse partitionsindicated generally at 30, (Fig. 8) hinged to swing from a horizontal toa vertical position to fully erect the carton and separate the cells ofeach row. Rear wall 20 has hingedly attached thereto a cover portion 32(Fig. 4) liitvingf a series of locking tabs along the free edge t ereoas shown in Figs. 5 and 6, by an oscillating at 40 (Figs. 2 and Thegripping mechanism positions the outermost carton for engagement by oneof a pair of erecting deand 2) which are remove it from the d1schargeconveyor The machine is also preferably provided with a movable bottomsupporting mechanism shown generally at 48 (Fig. 1) which is adapted tomove a supporting member 50 (Fig. 6) into position for supporting thebottom of the carton during the distension and erection of the same asshown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The frame 34 of the erecting machine preferably com-,

prises a pair of spaced parallel side members 52 of angle iron or otherknown and suitable material and a second pair of spaced parallel endmembers 54 of similar construction. Members 52 and form an openframework or shelf 56 (Fig. 1) and are supported at the corners thereofby legs 58 (Fig. l) of angle iron or other suitable material. Frame 34is also provided with a second, open-centered platform or shelf 0 whichis adapted to support an electric motor 62.

(Fig. 1) and other components of the machine, as hereafter more fullydescribed.

Hopper 36 preferably comprises an member 64 (Fig. 3) which has attachedsides thereof side rails inclined bottom 70. Bar 76 is adapted to engagethe inside of the covet portion 32 of the outermost carton, as shown inFigs. 4 and 5 and, together with a movable retaining finger 72, a fixedfinger 74 (Fig. 4), and an upwardly projecting lip (not shown) on thebottom front edge of the hopper, is adapted to releasably hold thecartons in position in hopper 36, as hereafter described. Hopper 36 issupported at the forward end thereof by a transversely extending bracket76 (Fig. l) which is attached to upwardly extending posts 68 by a pairof arms '73 (Figs. 3 and 4). The opposite end of the hopper is supportedin an inclined position by a suitable bracket The hopper may also beprovided with a switch (not shown) of known and suitable construction,actuated by the weight of the collapsed cartons in the hopper andarranged to automatically open the electri- 54 are fastened together toe211 circuit to motor 62. as. the last carton isremovedfrom said hopperfor stopping the erecting machine.

The gripping mechanism preferably comprises a pair of vacuum or suctioncups 82: (Figs. 4,, 12 and 13) of known or suitable construction which.are mounted on thetop, of a frame.84, as shown: inFig. l2.v The lowerportion, of frame 84; ispivotally mounted on a transversely extendingshaft 86, which in turn is supported. at the opposite ends thereof insuitable. bearings 88- on lower platform 60 as shown in, Figs. 2 and12.. The top of frame 84 cQrnprisestwo-inwardly extending sections9t)and 92, the, inner ends of'which are, spaced apart and have mountedthereon, rollers 94'; as, shown in Fig. 12. are adapted to v engage apairof grooves or cam which arelocated on opposite sides of the rotaryerecting means 44, as shown inFigs. 1. and 2, and by means of which, thegripping; mechanism is caused to. move between its. rearward positionshown in Figs.v l. and 2, and its,forwa rd,position.shown in Fig.4. Aspring 98 (Fig. 2) normally urges the mechanism to its rearwardposition.

As shown in Fig. 2', vacuum cups 82 are preferably connected byconduits100 to a suitable low-pressure source such as an evacuating pump102 mounted on lower platform 60. Pump 102, of known and suitable.construction, has an inlet filter 10,4. and an outlet oil trap 106, bothf-known. and; suitable construction and which form no part of thepresent invention. toinlet filter 4 by asingle valve 110 which isnormally by, a spring 112..so that. apartialvacuum is conduit 108-. anda by-pass maintained in cups 82 and conduits. 100 andlOS. Thus, whengripping cups are brought into engagement. with the front wall of theoutermost carton. (Fig. 4) said cups firmly adhere to the front wall andpull said wall outwardly. relative to the rear wall. ofthe carton, past.retaining fingers 72 and 74, as shown inFigs. Sand 6' and as hereaftermore. fully described, as the. gripping mechanism moves towards itsrearward position shownin Figs. 1, 6 and 7. However, whenthe grippingmechanism reaches its rearward position, as shown in, Figs. 1 and 2, oneof the. erecting de vices is moving into erecting engagement with thepartially distended, outermost carton, as shown in Fig. 6, and it isnecessary to release the grip of cups 82 on the front wall of the cartonso that the carton may be moved downwardly and to the left during theerection and withdrawal of thesame from hopper 36. The means forreleasing the gripof cups 82, preferably comprises a release lever 11'4mountedonshaft 86. Asthe gripping mechanism moves towards its rear-wardposition shown is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewediin Fig. 1,and an adjustable stud 1'16;

attached thereto strikes against the. lower'portionofthe valve stemandopensvalve 110 against thetension of spring 112. This allows the'pumpto: draw air in-aroundsaid valve andbreaksithe partial vacuumin cups 82.Stud 116-rnaybe adjusted to secure and-the movement of the erectingdevice 42'into engagement-with the proper timingbet-ween therelease ofcups 82 the outermost carton.

The rotary erecting meanswhich; as shown in Fig: 6, en-

gages the-partially-distended carton and erects-or-di'stends the same,preferably comprises which havemounted on the ends thereof theerectingdevices 42, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Member 118* is mounted on atransversely extending shaft 122, the opposite ends of which arerotatably supported in suitable bearings 124', mounted on frame members52Ias shown in Fig. 3. Shaft 1-22has adjacent the rightend thereof, asviewed in Figs. 3-7', a sprocket 126 whichis connected by a chain 128 toa suitable-power source as hereafter described. Shaft 122 has a similarsprocketlocated adjacent the. opposite end thereof by means of which theplates 130 are-rotated, grippingmechanisrn40 iscaused.

tooscillatebetweenits rearward'position shown in Fig. 1, and its forwardposition shown in Fig. 4, for engaging and Rollers 94- tracks 96Conduits 1.00 are connectedv held in its closed position in Fig. 1,lever 1154" a central member 11?;- (Fig. 2) having a pair of oppositelyextendingarms 120- blades 1144; thus similarly partially distending theoutermost carton, shown in Figs.

5 and 6 and for positioning said carton for engagement with erectingdevices 42 as hereafter more fully described.

Erecting devices 42 are. preferably similar to the carton erectingdevices disclosed in my copending application, Device for Setting UpCollapsible Cellular Cartons,

Serial No. 113,079, filed August 30', 1949, now U. S. Eatent No.2,586,551, to which reference may be had for a more complete disclosureof a preferred form of the erecting devices and certain constructionalfeatures herein disclosed but not claimed. Erecting device 42, similarto the devices disclosed in said copending application,

comprises a two-piece base having a stationary and a movable section 132and 134, respectively (Fig. 9).

Stationary base is fixed by screws 136 to a section 192, as shown inFigs. 8 and 9,

rectangular plate 138 which is formed with a longitudinally extendinggroove or track 140. Plate 138-isfastenedz by suitablemeansto the-outerend.ofarmwhich has attached thereto a transversely extendinggflat bar141 (Figs.

5-9). Right hand base. section 134 is secured. to anelongated. bar 142which is adapted to slide in said. trac k and. by means of whichbaseporti0n134 ismoved. from: its position shown in Fig. 8 away from.stationary base. portion 132 to its'position shown. inFig. 9,. Basesections 132 and 134 are provided with aseries. of pairs of fingers144-and 14'6. (Figs.

are adapted to enga enre longitudinally spacedblades or 8 and 9),respectively, which partially distended. carton asshown in Fig. 6. Theblades are preferably; the center of the base sections, as r at 148formedin: two rows, spaced apart adjacent (Fig. 2), to accommodate thelongitudinal partition 22 of the carton. As the rotary device is movedfrom. its position shown in Fig. 6 towards itsupositionushown in l-jig,7, said. blades enter the carton and swing the transverse. cellpartitions to their partially erected-position as shown inFig. 8'. Theoutermost pair of blades. inxeach group or. series of blades ispreferably at substantially right angles to the remain ing pairs of:blades, as shown.m;Fig. 3, for insuring full and. complete erectionof.theends of the carton.

To completeuthe. erection: of

the transverse partitions,

it is necessary to move: right: hand base portion 134 to the right:relative to stationary base. portion 1'32. This movementfirst swings;the; right: hand group of partitions 150, as viewed in'Eigs'.x8"and-.9',inaa counter-clockwise direction to their fully erected position atwhich point their pivotal movement. is

arrested by engagement with shoulders-1'52 in thenotchesformed toaccommodate them in: thelongitudinal partition. Red.

142. and base portion 1342are; then movedfurthersto'the right, and asthe right hand grouppfpartitions cannot move relative to the carton, theentirercarton'is carried tozthe right so as to bring the: left hand;group OfL'PZtI'tltiOllS 154 against stationary swinging these partitionsto vertical positionagainsttheir stop: shoulders 156 on the longitudinalpartition as shown i scribed in my copending application.

n Fig. 9 and as more fully dc- This shifting or movingiof-the: cartonrelativeto the fixed base portion may be clearly seen by a.

comparison of Figs. 6 and 8,

and Figs, 7 andl9yrespectively.

It is to be:.noted:that the' rear moved out ofcengagement 74, as showninFig. 6, prior carton'by the'erecting device, .as

Wall of the carton is withretaining fingers 72 and to. the, engagementof the hereaftermore fully described. Thus, the erecting device canreadily move the carton sideways, relative. to hopper 36, for completingthe erection of thesame, and can also carry the erected cartondownwardly through its position shown in Fig. 7,

cover 32 freely; sliding-under stop bar 70, untilthe-carton iscompletely removed from hopper 36, after which it is deposited .ondischarge conveyor 46 as hereafter described. The means for movingrod1.42 and base portion: 134 to the right, comprises. a. cam

158'(Figs. 3, 8 and 9) and a roller I60'mountedonthe left end of. saidrod. Cam 158 is preferably so shapedand positioned that rollerMilengages. the upper portion1'62lthereof as the erecting device fullyengages the partiallyerected'carton as shown in Fig.

8. As the erecting device 1s carried'towards its position shown in Fig,9; roller160',movesdownwardly along inwardly inclined cam surface162thereby moving rod 142 to the. right and fully erecting the carton,

above:

Cam 158, below surfac slightly to the right as at as described e162, ispreferably inclined 164. The lowermost portion of cam 158 is inclinedoutwardly to the left as at 166. Roller 160 engagesyinwardlyinclined-portion 164 after the carton has beenfully erected, movingbase-portion 134 slightly to theright relative to. fixed portion" 132,and as a result the erected carton is seeurely gripped by the erectingdevice so' that it may be 'easily carried downwardly out of hopper 36and depositedondischarge conveyor 46. When roller 160 passes'thelowermost portion 166 of the cam, it moves outwardlyyunder the action ofa spring 168 (Fig. 9); carryingbase portion 134 to the left towardsstationary base portion 132, thereby releasing the cartonfrom'theierecting device, and allowing the same to fall by gravity ontodischarge conveyor 46 or a curved feed plate 170 thereof (Fig. 1).Spring 168 which moves rod 142 and "base portion 134to their normalpositions, as shown in Fig. 8 is secured atone end to plate 141 and attheotherend to base portion 134, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The present machine isreadily'adapted-foruse with a slightly modifiedtype of carton"in which .the carton blank is scored transversely so thatthecartonmay be readily torn in halves, each containing'but six cells.1In this type of carton, .each half comprises two transverse partitionsswinging in one "direction'and twopartitions swinging in the oppositedirection. Accordingly the erecting devices are provided with.twostationary and two movable base sections .arranged 'in' alternateorder starting ontheleft, as viewed in Fig. 8;With a stationary section.Each base section .has two pairs of spaced, gupwardly projecting fingersorblades, sunilar to blades 144 and 146, for erecting "the transversecell partitions of the carton in the same manner as described above for!the non-divisible type of carton and similar to themethod of operationset forth in detailin-my said copending application.

The bottom supporting mechanism 48 preferably comprises a pair ofarms172 (Fig. l) which are pivotally mounted on a transverselyextendingtshaft 174 (Fig. *3) and which have at the forward endsthereofa transverse member 176 (Fig; 8)towhich isattached bottom supportingmember 50 (Fig. l). Arms 172 arepreferably shaped, as shown in Figs. l3,and areconnected together at the opposite ends thereof by a short shaft.178 (Fig. 3) which is engag'edby a cam'180 (Fig. 2) mounted on atransversely extending shaft 182 posite ends of which are rotatablysupported in suitable bearings 184 mounted onupper. frame members'SZ. Inorder to insure proper coordination between the bottom supporting member50 and the movement of'theerec'ting devices as, shaft 182 has ajsprocketadjacent one end thereof; which. is connected to a similar sprocket 188on shaft 122- by achain 190 "(Fig l). The rotation of shaft182 andcam180 causesarms 172 to oscillate between their raised and loweredpositions, as shown in Fig. 2,by full and broken lines,- respectivelWhen arms 172 move to theiruppermost position, transverse supportingmember 50 is moved into position for supporting the bottom of theoutermost carton during the distention of the carton by grippingmechanism 40, and during the first stages of the erection of the cartonby one of the erecting devices 42, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. Cam 1% isso shaped that supporting member 50 moves downwardly with the cartonduring the completion of the erection of the same by erectingdevice-'42, as shown in Figs. 69. After the carton is fully erected, asshown in Fig. 9, supporting member 50 quickly moves out of engagementwith the carton and into its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 2,thereby to be fully removed from the hopper conveyor 46 by the erectingdevice as Discharge conveyor 46 allowing the carton and deposited upondescribed above. preferably comprises a rectangular frame 192 (Figs. 1and ,3) having at the opposite ends thereof a pair of transverselyextending shafts 194 which have pulleys 196 mounted thereon. isCorresponding pulleys on shafts 194 are connected together by belts1980f rubber or other known and suitable material forming an endlessconveyor belt so that as said shafts and belts are driven in aclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 1, any cartons deposited on the lower'endof .the conveyorwill be carried by frictionupwardly and to the right onthe upper surface'of the belts forclearing the erecting machine of theerectedcartons.

The carton retaining means which"compr isesfstop bar 70, stationaryretaining finger 74, movableretainingfinger 72, and asmall upwardlyprojectinglip-orfplate '(n'ot (Fig; 3) theop- (Fig, 1) or other suitabledriving shown) adjacent the lower front edge of hopper 36, is adapted toprovide a positive means fon'holding a stock of cartons in the hopperand yetat-"the same time'allow the cartonsto be removed, one at a time,for erection, without thetearing of the same. 7

The means for moving retaining finger 72 (Fig. 4) to release theoutermost carton for erection, preferably comprises a solenoid200havingan armature 202 which is connected at theouter end thereof'tofinger 72. Armature202 and finger 72 are yieldably held in theirpositions shown in Fig. 4 by a coil spring 204. When'the front wall 18of thte outermost carton is moved by gripping mechanism 40 from itspositionshown in Fig. 4 to its position shown in Fig. 5; front wall18and central longitudinal partition 22 are pulled past-an'upwardlyprojecting lip (not shown) on the bottomfront edge of the hopper, andpast movable finger 72 and stationary finger 74, the latter two of whichthen engage the inner surface of rear wall 20 of the outermost .carton.Gripping mechanism 40 continues to move the front wall of the cartonaway from the rearwall' whichis prevented from moving outwardly byfingers 74 and 72, thereby partially distending the carton. As the front.wall reaches its fully extended position, solenoid 200 is connected toa suitable source of electrical "energy by the closing. of a switch 206(Fig. 2). The'energization of solenoid 200 draws armature 202 totheright, as viewed in Figs. 4-7, through a guide plate 208 (Fig. 4) andmoves finger 72 out of contact with the rearwall'of the outermost cartonwhich then springs past finger 74 and moves outwardly away from hopper36 under the action of gripping mechanism 40. The carton is then inposition! for engagement by one of the erecting devices, as shown inFig. 6.

Switch 296 isiclosedfor'only a short period of time so that finger-72,under the action of spring 204,-qu'ickly returns to its normal positionwhere it en-gagesthe outer surface of the front wall of the nextsucceeding carton and holds the remaining cartons in hopper 36, as shownin Fig. 6; Switch 206 is actuated'by a diamond-shaped cam212 (Fig.2)mounted on the outer end of shaft 182 which rotates at thesame speed asshaft 122 and erecting devices 42 so that switch 206 isclos'ed each timeone of the erecting devices is about to come into carton engagingposition as shown in Fig.

The erecting machine is provided with means for actuating andcoordinating the movementof the rotary erecting devices, the vacuumgripping mechanism, the. mova'ble bottom supporting member, thereleasable carton retaining mechanism and the discharge conveyor 46.Preferably,'the power for actuating the above components is supplied byelectric motor 62 which is connected by a suitable belt 214 (Fig. l) toapulley 216-(Fig. l) attached to a speed reducing gear box 218 (Fig. '1)of known and 'suitable'construction. Gear box'213' has a spur gear 220and a sprocket 222 (Fig. .2) mountedon a shaft 224 (Fig. 2) whichextends through .the gear box, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Chain 128connects sprocket 222 to a simlar sprocket 1.26 on transverseshaft 122.The rotation of the shaft l22 not onlyrotates the carton erectingdevices, but as shaft 122 is connected to shaft 182 by chain 190, italso causes shaft 182 to rotate at the same speed. As described above,earn on shaft 182-controls the movement of the bottom supporting memberand the diamond-shaped cam 212 which controls the release of the movablecarton retainingfinger '72. Thus, the movement of the erecting .devices,the bottom supporting member, and the movablereleasableretaining andsynchronizedone with the other and with the movement of the. grippingmechanism 40 which is caused to move from its. rearward position, asshown in Fig. 2, to its forward position, asshown in Fig. 4, by therotation of cam tracks 96 which are engaged by rollers 94 on -thegripping mechanism frame. Sprockets 226 (Fig. l) and 228 (Fig. 2) serveas tighteningmeans for chains and 128,1espectively, as well understoodin the art.

Spur gear 220 engages a pinion 230 (Fig. 2) located adjacent one end ofa transversely extending shaft 232 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is mounted insuitable bearings 234 (Figs. 1 and 2) on legs 58. Shaft 232 has a largepulley 236 (Fig. 1) adjacent the opposite end thereof which ispreferably adapted for use with a V belt 238 means which connects saidpulleyto a smaller pulley 240 (Fig. l) on the lower shaft 194 of thedischarge conveyorm'echanism described objects and above. Thus, thedischarge conveyor is also driven by electric motor 62, and to start theentire machine in operation it is onlylnecessary to close the electricalcircuit to motor 62 by a suitable, single switch (not shown).

In operation, therefore, a stack of collapsed or flattened cartons isplaced in hopper 36 and as the erecting machine is operated, thegripping mechanism swings forward from its position as shown in Fig. 2to its position as shown in Fig. 4 at which point the vacuum grippingcups are brought into engagement with the front wall of the outermostcarton, and as said gripping mechanism returns towards its initialposition shown in Fig. 2, the front wall of the carton is pulledoutwardly from its position, as shown in Fig. 4, through its positionshown in Fig. 5 to its position as shown in Fig. 6, at which point thecarton is nearly distended and is supported by bottom supporting member50. As the outermost carton is being distended or opened up, as shown inFigs. 4-6, one of the rotary erecting devices 42 moves from its positionshown in Fig. 4, to its position shown in Fig. 6, at which point theerecting device is just moving into engagement with the top of thecarton and is in position for completing the erection of the carton andfor moving the carton downwardly out of the hopper, as shown in Fig. 7,and depositing the same on conveyor 46 by means of which the erectedcarton is removed from the machine. It will be noted that the vacuum cupand rotary carton erecting means serve also as the means for withdrawingthe cartons from the hopper, thereby eliminating the necessity forcarton feeding means for that purpose. The erection of the transversepartitions and the completion of the setting up of the carton is rapidlyaccomplished by the continuously rotating erecting devices 42 whichfurthermore operate to discharge the completed cartons, so as to obviatethe necessity for carton stripping devices. These parts, of relativelysimple construction, function effectively and reliably to withdraw thecartons from the hopper, erect them and discharge the completed cartonsin a rapid and automatic manner, requiring the attention of an operatoronly to keep the hopper supplied with a quantity of cartons to beerected.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its while it hasbeen herein disclosed by reference to the details of a preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended inan illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplatedthat various modifications in the construction and arrangement of theparts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spiritof the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottomwall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to thebottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopperfor supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism for removing oneof said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending saidcarton, rotary means entering said partially distended carton betweenthe front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging thetransverse members to erected position for fully erecting said carton,movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distendedcarton during the erection of the same by said rotary means, and meansfor actuating said mechanism, said bottom supporting means and saidrotary means in timed coordination with one another.

2. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottomwall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to thebottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopperfor supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism for removing oneof said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending saidcarton, rotary means entering said partially distended carton betweenthe front and rear walls thereof and engaging and swinging thetransverse members to erected position for fully erecting said carton,movable means for supporting the bottom of said partially distendedcarton during the erectionof the same by said rotary means, and meansfor continuously rotating said rotary means and for actuating saidmechanism and said bottom supporting means in timed coordination withone another.

3. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of, the bottomwall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to thebottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopperfor supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism comprisingoscillating gripping means for removing one of said cartons from saidhopper and for partially distending the same, rotary means entering saidpartially distended carton between the front and rear walls thereof andengaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position forfully erecting said carton, movable means for supporting the bottom ofsaid partially distended carton during the erection of the same by saidrotary means, and means for oscillating said gripping means andactuating said bottom supporting means and salild rotary means in timedcoordination with one anot er.

4. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottomwall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to thebottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopperfor supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism comprisingoscillating gripping means for removing one of said cartons from saidhopper and for partially distending said carton, rotary means enteringsaid partially walls thereof and-engaging and swinging the transversemembers to erected position for fully erecting said carton, movablemeans for "supporting the bottom of said partially distended cartonduring the erection of the same by said rotary means, and means forcontinuously rotating said rgtgi lg egns and oscillating said grippingmeans'and actuating said maniairT'aTrTsiri timed coordination with oneanother.

5. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottomwall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to thebottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopperfor supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism for removing oneof said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending saidcarton, rotary means having parts movable thereon entering saidpartially distended carton between the front and rear walls thereof andengaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position forfully erecting said carton, movable means for supporting the bottom ofsaid partially distended carton during the erection of the same by saidrotary means, means for continuously rotating said rotary means andmoving said parts thereon to engage and erect said carton and to releaseand discharge the same and means for actuating said mechanism and saidbottom supporting means in timed coordination with said rotary means.

6. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottomwall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to thebottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopperfor supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, mechanism comprisingoscillating gripping means for removing one of said cartons from saidhopper and for partially distending said carton, rotary means havingparts movable thereon entering said carton between the front and rearwalls thereof and engaging and swinging the transverse members toerected position to fully erect said carton, movable means forsupporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during theerection of the same by said rotary means, means for continuouslyrotating said rotary means and moving said parts thereon to engage anddistend said carton and to release and discharge the same and means foractuating said mechanism and said bottom supporting means in timedcoordination with said rotary means and parts.

7. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons of the type having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottomwall and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to thebottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopperfor supporting a stack of collapsedcartons, mechanism for partiallyremoving the outermost one of said .cartons from said hopper and forpartially distending the .same, rotary means entering said partiallydistended carton betweenthe front and rear walls thereof and engagingand swmging the transverse members to erected position "distended cartonbetween" the -front-and-rear m a scream for fully erecting said cartonand for removing the same from said hopper, movable means for-supportingthe bottom of said partially distended carton during. the erection ofthe same by said rotary means, movable retaining means for releasablyholding said cartons in said hopper, means for moving said retainingmeans for releasing the outermost carton for removal by said mechanismand by said rotary means, and means for actuating said mechanism, saidbottom supporting means, said rotary means and said moving means intimed coordination with one another. I

8. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons having front and rearwalls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottom wall andtransverse members adapted to be swung at right angles to the bottomwall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising a hopper forsupporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means forpartially removing one of said cartons from said hopper and forpartially distending the same, rotary means entering said partiallyopened carton between the front and rear walls thereof and engaging andswinging the transverse members to erected position for fully erectingsaid carton and removing the same from said hopper, movable means forsupporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during theerection of the same by said rotary means, cooperating means connectingsaid vacuum means and said rotary means for synchronizing the movementof said vacuum means with said rotary means, movable retaining means forreleasably holding said carton in said hopper, means for moving saidretaining means for releasing the outermost carton for removal by saidvacuum means and by said rotary means, and means for actuating saidbottom supporting means, said moving means and said rotary means intimed coordination with one another.

9. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons having front and rearwalls hingedly attached to the bottom wall along the opposite sidesthereof and transverse members adapted to be swung at right angles tothe bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machine comprising ahopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum grippingmeans for partially removing the outermost one of said cartons from saidhopper and for partially distending the same, rotary means entering saidpartially opened carton between the front and rear walls thereof andengaging and swinging the transverse members to erected position forcarton from said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of saidpartially distended carton during the erection of the same by saidrotary means, cam means on said rotary means, roller means on saidvacuum means engaging said cam means for swinging said vacuum means intogripping engagement with the front wall of the outermost carton in saidhopper and for moving said vacuum means and the front wall of saidcarton away from said hopper for partially opening said carton as saidrotary means moves into carton engaging position, and means foractuating said bottom supporting means and said rotary means in timedcoordination with one another.

10. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons having front and rearwalls hingedly attached to the bottom Wall along the opposite sidesthereof, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stack ofcollapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means for partially removing theoutermost one of said cartons from said hopper and for partiallydistending the same, rotary means engaging said partially opened cartonfor distending and removing the same from said hopper, movable means forsupporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during theerection of the same, cam means on said rotary means, roller means onsaid vacuum means engaging said cam means for swinging said vacuum meansinto gripping engagement with the front wall of the outermost carton insaid hopper and for moving said vacuum means and the front wall of saidcarton away from said hopper for partially opening said carton as saidrotary means moves into carton engaging position, movable retainingmeans for releasably holding said cartons in said hopper, means formoving said retaining means for releasing the outermost carton forremoval by said vacuum means and by said rotary means, and means foractuating said vacuum means, said bottom supporting means, said rotarymeans and said moving means in timed coordination with one another.

11. A machine for setting up collapsible cartons haverecting andremoving said.

ing front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of thebottom wall, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting a stackretaining means releasably engaging the front wall of the outermostcarton for holding said carton in said hopper, vacuum gripping means forpartially removing the outermost carton from said hopper andforpartially distending the same, the front wall of said carton beingmoved out of engagement with the retaining means by said gripping means,rotary means engaging said partially opened carton for fully distendingthe same and for fully removing said carton from said hopper, movablemeans for supporting the bottom of said partially distended cartonduring the erection of the same, means for moving said retaining meansout of engagement with the rear wall of said outermost carton as saidgripping means partially removes said carton from said hopper, yieldablemeans for moving said retaining means into engagement with the frontwall of the next succeeding carton for holding the remaining cartons insaid hopper, and means for actuating said gripping means, said movingmeans, said bottom supporting means and said rotary means in timedcoordination with one another.

12. A machine for setting up collapsible cellular cartons of the typehaving front and rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides ofthe bottom wall and transverse members adapted to be swung at rightangles to the bottom wall in setting up the carton, said machinecomprising a hopper for supporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuummeans for partially removing one of said cartons from said hopper andfor partially distendmg the same, rotary means engaging said partiallyopened carton for fully distending the same and for removing said cartonfrom said hopper, movable means for supporting the bottom of saidpartially distended carton during the erection of the same, spacedblades mounted on said rotary means for engaging the transverse membersfor swinging said members to erected position, and means for actuatingsaid vacuum means, said bottom supporting means and said rotary means intimed coordination with one another.

13. A machine for setting up collapsible cellular cartons having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottomwall and transverse partitions hingedly connected to the tops of thefront and rear walls and adapted to be swung from horizontal to erectedvertical position, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting astack of collapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means for partially removingone of said cartons from said hopper and for partially distending thesame, rotary means engaging said partially opened carton for fullydistending and removing the same from said hopper, movable means forsupporting the bottom of said partially distended carton during theerection of the same, spaced blades mounted on said rotary means forengaging and partially erecting the transverse partitions as said rotarymeans engages said partially distended carton, cam means for moving saidblades for swinging said partitions to vertical position to complete theerection of said carton, and means for actuating said gripping means,said bottom supporting means and said rotary means in timed coordinationwith one another.

14. A machine for setting up collapsible cellular car tons having frontand rear walls hingedly attached to the opposite sides of the bottomwall and transverse partitions hingedly connected to the tops of thefront and rear walls and adapted to be swung from horizontal to erectedvertical position, said machine comprising a hopper for supporting astack of collapsed cartons, vacuum means for partially removing one ofsaid cartons from said hopper and for partially distending the same,rotary means engaging said partially opened carton for fully distendingand removing said carton from said hopper, movable means for supportingthe bottom of said. partially distended carton during the erection ofthe same, spaced blades mounted on said rotary means for engaging andpartially erecting the transverse partitions as said rotary meansengages said partially distended carton, cam means for moving saidblades for engaging and swinging said partitions to vertical position tocomplete the erection of said carton and for releasing and dischargingthe erected carton from the machine, and means for actuating said vacuummeans and said bottom supporting means and for continuously rotatingsaid rotary means in timed coordination with one another.

of collapsed cartons, movable 1 1 15'. A machine forSettingTupcollapsible cellular cartonsofv the; type having' fr-ront and rear.longitudinal partition andtwo groups of titions hingedlyconnected to thetops ofl rear walls and adapted to be swung in opposite direct-ions,respectively, from horizontal to erected vertical position,

transversepat:-

walls, a central said front and saidmachine comprising ahopper forsupporting a stack of collapsed cartons, vacuum gripping means forpartially removing one of said cartons from said hopper and forpartially distending. the same, rotary rneansengaging said partiallyopened cartonfor fully distending moving said: carton" from said hopper,movable means for: supporting the bottom: of saidpartially distendedcar:- to'n: during,5 the erection comprising two" groups of spacedblades projeetingathere of thesame,,saidrotary means fi1om=fojrengagement with the partitions of said groups,

respectively; for partiallyerecting the transverse par-t1- tions-as saidrot-arym'ean's engages said partially distendedri carton-,;--meansforeffecting, the relative rnoveir'ientof said groups-of bladesoppositedirectionsto complete said'rot-aryrneans 1n timed coordination with oneanother.

ReferencesCi ted in the file of this patent UNI-TED STATES PATENTS1,828,123 Bickford Oct 20, 193i 1,991,221 nedi nnnrrfin- Feb. 12 19352,018,396 Burger Oct. 22, 19 35 2,-l;1 6;6 0 7 Milmoe May 10, 1938 2324510 Coy-le- Dec. 10, 1940 2518 208; First et al-i May 4, 1943 23441 372Quigley-et al'-. May 11, 1 948 2,6 Q1-,48'1 Willi-arias June 24, 19522,624,248

Bakei et'al. Ian. 6, 1953

